Microscope Brightness Correction via Reference Image Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscope imaging methods often suffer from non-uniform illumination and inhomogeneities caused by the illumination and imaging beam paths, leading to systematic errors in brightness distribution and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the capture of reference images from multiple comparison samples to determine a brightness correction image, which is then used to correct the sample images, utilizing averaging and filtering techniques to eliminate or reduce these inhomogeneities, and optionally using the sample itself as a comparison sample for sample-specific corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional illumination and imaging systems are used, then the imaging process is simple, but systematic errors and non-uniform brightness distribution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing reference images of comparison samples before imaging the actual sample. These reference images are used to create a brightness correction image that compensates for illumination non-uniformities and systematic errors. The correction image is then applied to the sample image to achieve uniform brightness distribution, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex hardware modifications.
2Measurement precision
If reference measurements from multiple comparison samples are performed, then brightness correction accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple reference images from different comparison samples into a single brightness correction image through pixel-wise averaging. This combining process accumulates statistical information from multiple measurements, improving the accuracy of the brightness correction. The correction image captures systematic errors more reliably, and this single corrected image can be applied to multiple sample images, thereby reducing the overall time loss compared to correcting each sample individually.
3Measurement precision
If averaging of reference image pixels is performed, then brightness correction image quality is improved, but computational effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing averaging only on the necessary pixel values required for brightness correction, rather than processing all possible image data. The method calculates the mean brightness value for each pixel position across multiple reference images, which provides sufficient correction quality without requiring excessive computational resources. This selective averaging approach achieves good correction results while maintaining reasonable computational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for imaging a sample using a microscope having an illumination unit, an imaging lens system and an image sensor, includes: illuminating an area of the sample; imaging and magnifying the sample onto the image sensor and capturing the image using a predetermined number of pixels; providing a plurality of different comparison sample areas; for each comparison sample area, performing a reference measurement, wherein the comparison sample areas are illuminated, imaged and magnified onto the image sensor and captured with the predetermined number of image pixels as a reference image; determining a brightness-correction image with the predetermined number of image pixels by determining the value for each image pixel of the brightness-correction image from the values of allocated image pixels of the reference images, and correcting the image of the area of the sample captured based on the brightness-correction image and outputting it as a corrected image.